Ok, I need clarification here.
Is this a red monkey's butt, or the butt of a monkey that is red?
Just need to be clear on this. LOL
I just chop those off with my scraper edge and a light hammer tap (but I cover the open top of the motor with something first)
They are actually made to go into that oblong slot in the cork gasket but it's kind of a PIA and gets in the way of the sealant you replace that cork with.
Making sure you have a nice permanent perfect seal for the life of the install isn't lazy, it's smart.
A bit of sealer right where the head and block come together, then the gaskets, the a nice 3/8 or so bead along the front and rear rails (I stay to the inside edge) especially on the passenger side front where the intake dang near misses the rail.
Set in on dry first and it'll give you an idea of bead thickness you need, as well as let you take a look at that passenger side corner I mentioned.